Wednesday, February 3, 2010

February 2, 2010 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) released the following statement today in light of newly-unveiled figures detailing President Obama's proposed budget for 2010:

"Just a few short days ago, during his State of the Union address, President Obama called for a non-discretionary, three-year spending freeze and seemed, at times, to recognize that America faces a dire budget crisis.

"But Mr. Obama's so-called 'spending freeze' is like throwing a powder puff at a battleship -- it only applies to about 12% of the budget and would save approximately $15 billion at a time when the deficit is roughly $1.3 trillion.

"Republicans hoped the President's apparent sudden interest in fiscal responsibility indicated a shift from the reckless, record-setting spending that exemplified his first year in office. Unfortunately, yesterday's revelation of the President's newest budget has proven that fiscal restraint is NOT one of the lessons the President has learned in the past year.

"According to the President's proposed spending plan, the government would spend an incomprehensible $3.73 trillion in 2010, and an even greater $3.83 trillion in 2011, while pushing the deficit this year to a record-setting $1.53 trillion and imposing over $1 trillion in job-killing taxes on those deemed 'rich.'

"'Irresponsible' does not even begin to describe this kind of deficit spending, which hasn't been seen in the entire 234 years of America's existence. Once again, it seems President Obama is determined to auction future generations’ financial well-being and, indeed, America's future economic stability in order to ensure his radical, big-government agenda is implemented."